"You're sure?" she asks. "He's the level headed one at least, so it shouldn't be dreadful."

She leans in to kiss him. "Very helpful indeed."

"He'll meet us in Amikaya, after we've hit the lost city. He's en route, so it will take him a week or so to arrive, even flying as fast as we do."

She looks at the shells, the stones. "I should show you where I hide what portion of my hoard I have with me."

She beckons him over to one of the chests. She moves aside the heavier linen clothes on top, removes the false bottom of the chest.

A fine piece of embroidered silk conceals gold jewelry, much of it set with semi-precious or precious stones.

The armband she mentioned before is on top. She carefully pulls it out. "Would you like me to put it on you?"